Overview
Angola protects a wide range of intellectual property assets through local legislation, covering trademarks, patents, and industrial designs. Oversight of these rights is entrusted to the Angolan Institute of Industrial Property, which manages all filings, examinations, and registrations.
Angola’s IP system follows established international standards, providing both local and foreign applicants with procedures for securing legal protection. Compared to other jurisdictions, registration requirements and enforcement measures are clearly stipulated, ensuring that rights holders can effectively safeguard their interests.
International Conventions
Angola is a signatory to several international treaties that shape its IP framework. These include:
• Paris Convention
• Berne Convention
• TRIPS Agreement
IP office
Trademark protection in Angola is granted by the Angolan Institute of Industrial Property through a single-class filing system. Each application covers one class of goods or services.
• A clear reproduction of the trademark and payment of official fees are required.
• Substantive exam is conducted to verify eligibility criteria.
• The registration remains valid for 10 years from the date of registration and is renewable for additional 10-year periods.
• Applicants must furnish accurate details (name, address, and goods or services specification) in the relevant single class.
In case of conflicts or objections, the application may be refused, but once registered, the trademark owner has exclusive rights enforceable under Angolan law.
Patents in Angola are obtained by filing with the Angolan Institute of Industrial Property. The system requires the invention to meet novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability standards.
• The standard term of protection is 15 years from the filing date, subject to annual fees.
• A detailed specification, claims, and supporting documents must be provided.
• Substantive examination is undertaken to ensure compliance with local patentability requirements.
Upon grant, the patent owner holds exclusive rights within Angola, subject to local enforcement provisions.
Industrial designs in Angola cover the visible features of a product’s appearance. The Angolan Institute of Industrial Property is responsible for examining and granting these rights.
Design protection is granted for an initial term of 5 years, which can be renewed every year for up to a total of 15 years. Applicants must submit accurate representations of the design alongside relevant details.
Once registered, the owner gains the exclusive right to prevent unauthorized use of that design in Angola.
This information does not constitute legal advice; it is for informational purposes only.
